IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad is the latest in a long series of flight sims situated around World War II. The game was universally regarded for the high quality of its graphics back when it was first released in 2014, and it still holds up very well. This is an incredibly authentic recreation of the era that really makes you feel like you're in the midst of a vicious dogfight. If nothing else, the moment to moment experience of Battle of Stalingrad is one of the most immersive recreations of aerial combat in any form of popular media to date.

The developer has gone deep into the simulation elements of the genre here, and while that may be intimidating for some new users, it's a definite advantage for history buffs obsessed with the era. The authenticity that's gone into the graphics is further extended towards a desire to dig deep into the technical specs of the aircraft and the setting. You can play as either the Germans or the Russians, and the eight fighter planes split between them are both incredibly accurate to their historical counterparts but also pretty unique in their presentation. Each plane feels good while also feeling distinct from its brethren.

The map is similarly impressive in its sense of scale. The developers here have created an authentic reproduction of the Stalingrad front that's sure to make amateur war historians giddy with delight. Just flying around thte environment is a real thrill for history buffs, but there's also a truly astonishing amount of content to dig into here. The map is over 200 by 140 miles in size, and there are a ton of missions to get involved in. You can either fly to a mission yourself to throw yourself directly into the melee or select them from a mission menu. It's also accompanied by a campaign mode that serves as a full tour of the Battle of Stalingrad and lets you pick a Russian or German squadron and follow them through the campaign in something resembling a career mode. If that's not enough content, there are plenty of smaller campaigns also available for purchase. There's no lack of materials to dig through here.

In terms of gameplay, this is a game that doesn't pull any punches in terms of replicating the experience of a fighter ace. The controls are complex and require you to really get in the mind of a pilot. And while you can play it with a keyboard and mouse, it's a game that really only comes into its own with a dedicated joystick. It's an especially great advantage when you take into account the force feedback of the game. It's a truly visceral experience that makes you feel like you're really in a cockpit.

Pros:

• An immersive flight sim that takes its source material seriously
• A huge map stuffed with missions to complete
• Lets you play as both the Germans and the Russians

Cons:

• Heavily simulationist gameplay has a fairly steep learning curve